ASH 2018 | The ECOG-E192 and ALLIANCE studies: ibrutinib therapy for CLL
Tait Shanafelt, MD, of Stanford University Medicine, Stanford, CA, discusses the results of the Phase III ECOG-E1912 trial (NCT02048813) investigating the PFS and OS of ibrutinib and rituximab in combination vs. the current standard of care, the chemoimmunotherapy FCR, for first-line treatment of patients younger than 70 years old with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Speaking from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2018 Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, CA, Dr Shanafelt also discusses the Phase III ALLIANCE A041202 trial (NCT01886872) aiming to uncover the most effective initial therapy for elderly patients with CLL, comparing three arms: bendamustine plus rituximab (BR), ibrutinib alone, and ibrutinib plus rituximab (IR). Dr Shanafelt highlights the exciting results from the trials, both of which have practice-changing implications.
